iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

A flower of Oxalis triangulata. I like this flower. I used to take a lot of photos of flowers. But lately, I’ve almost stopped taking them. Right now, it just feels like a “pointless” endeavor to me.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#松江市 #宍道湖にある #嫁ヶ島。2年前に撮影。明日職場のXで使用します。 A photo of #Yomegashima in Shinji Lake, #Matsue City, taken two years ago. I will use it tomorrow on my workplace’s X account.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

春へ先日からの雪が溶け始め松江にも春が近づいている。 The snow that had fallen in recent days has begun to melt, and spring is drawing near even in Matsue.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

On May 10, 2025, today I am reading a book given to me by an acquaintance some time ago. It is an account of climbing Klyuchevskaya in Kamchatka. This wonderful book makes me appreciate the greatness of exploration.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

April 9, 2025 - Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom The weather was bad this past weekend, with many days of heavy rain and strong winds. As a result, this photo ended up being the last view of the cherry blossoms in full bloom. #photography #Sakura #Japan #Matsue

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Reposted by Atsuhiro Shingu

Henning @geohenning.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

First Sunday in April means: Happy Geologist's Day! #Geology ⚒️ youtu.be/1NU51lJIdrg?...

youtu.be

The Geologists Are Coming!

YouTube video by The Amoeba People

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

April 4, 2025. Cherry blossoms look so bright. Sometimes they seem brighter than looking up at the sky. Such is the case with cherry blossoms. #photography #Japan #sakura

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

2025年４月４日桜の幹に花が咲くことがある。華やかさはないけれどもとてもかわいい。 #photography #Japan #sakura

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

April 4, 2025. Cherry blossoms this weekend. They will be in full bloom soon. It has been colder than usual in my area for the past week, so the cherry blossoms have been blooming slowly. #photography #Japan #sakura

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Cherry blossoms (Someiyoshino) are beginning to bloom. The best time to see them is a week away. #sakura #photography #Japan

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Reposted by Atsuhiro Shingu

Henning @geohenning.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Spring Vibes #Photography #Fotografie 📷 Fujifilm X100V

Photo of white blossoms on a tree in front of a blue sky.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

March 29, 2025, the season of cherry (Japanese: SAKURA) blossoms has arrived. This is Prunus jamasakura . The flowering season is short, and brown leaves sprout at the same time as the flowers. #photography #sakura #Japan

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Cherry blossom (Japanese: SAKURA) season has arrived. #photography #sakura #Japan

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

Rocks, ferns, moss, and clean air. I can enjoy such a view because I am a geologist. #photography #geology #geologist #Japan #Matsue

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

The headwater of a small river A small river originating from Mt. Dake in Matsue City. It springs forth just 20 meters upstream from this photo. This beautiful water is abundant groundwater contained within a dacite volcano. #Japan #Matsue #geology #photography

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Wakura Mountain #Dacite is an aphyric dacite lava. It occasionally contains xenoliths, and clinopyroxene can be observed near these inclusions. Unfortunately, this thin section contains some bubbles. #Japan #ThinSection #microscopy #Matsue

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Tawanouchi Basalt This #basalt erupted during the Quaternary period in Tawanouchi, Hakuta Town, Shimane Prefecture, southwest Japan. Crossed Nicols (Cross-Polarized Light): - Phenocrysts: Composed of clinopyroxene and olivine. - Groundmass: Consists of plagioclase, olivine, and clinopyroxene.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Olivine in Tawanouchi Basalt This Quaternary #basalt has been studied in detail by Yoshihiro Sawada and others (A solidified lava lake in an explosion crater within granitic basement, SW Japan, 2023). #Mineral #microscopy

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Olivine of the Matsue Formation The color of this olivine is Brown. #mineral #microscopy #geology

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

March 2, 2025 Location Differences In Matsue, camellias are already in bloom in areas close to the sea, but about 10 km inland, camellias have yet to bloom. That's how warm it is in the coastal areas. #photography #Japan #Matsue

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

Basalt of the Matsue Formation Phenocrysts consist of olivine. The groundmass is composed of plagioclase, olivine, clinopyroxene, and iron ore minerals. #Microscopy #ThinSection #Minerals #Basalt

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

Prunus mume March 1, 2025 One of the earliest blooming plum blossoms in the area. #Japan #Matsue #photography

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

March 1, 2025 Flowers of Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica) #photography

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Cedar buds. They will bloom soon, but many people in Japan suffer from allergies to this pollen. #photography

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

February 22, 2025, it was snowing at the end of the tunnel.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Feb 24, 2025: End of the Snow Season This winter season in Japan has experienced heavy snowfall. The spring-like weather will begin tomorrow, finally marking the end of the snowy season. However, there are concerns about potential flooding due to snow melt and the risk of avalanches. #photography

Snowy landscape in the countryside on the outskirts of Matsue City.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

February 15, 2025 Buds of Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica) On the early spring mountain where snow still lingered, I found buds of Japanese Andromeda. I think they will bloom by the end of February. #Photography #flowers

Buds of Japanese Andromeda. February 15.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

This month, I had planned to go to Mount Dakesan for a geological survey. However, due to the recent cold wave, there is snow at the planned site. As a result, it seems the survey will not be possible for about another half a month. #photography #flowers #Japan

This is the flower of the camellia sasanqua blooming in my garden.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Koura Beach. Many freshwater shell fossils from the Miocene period have been found on this beach. #Japan #matsue

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Rhinoclavis kochi is a species of sea snail found in the Indo-Pacific region. Its distribution includes Japan, India, and the Western Pacific. In Japan, it is found from the Oga Peninsula southward on the Sea of #Japan side, and from the Boso Peninsula to Kyushu on the Pacific side.

Also known as Koch's cerith or "Kanimori" in Japanese

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Happy New Year! May all your wishes come true this year. Wishing you good health and happiness. The photo shows the scene of the first shrine visit of the year (Hatsumode) at Sada Shrine in #Matsue City. #Japan

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

The basaltic lava of the Matsue Formation gradually changes its composition to andesite or near-andesite as it becomes younger. This New Year's holiday, I'll be spending time observing thin sections made from samples collected at a recently discovered outcrop. #Japan #Matsue #microscopy

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Today, I made a paper model to explain the structure of halloysite, a clay mineral confirmed by X-ray diffraction results. #clay #mineralogy

The model is approximately 100 million times larger than the actual size.
When water is removed from between the tetrahedral sheet and the 2:1 octahedral sheet, the interlayer spacing decreases from 10Å to 7Å.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

Matsue City My hometown, Matsue City. View of Matsue City from Shinyama (looking from north to south). #Japan #Matsue #geology #photography

Matsue Kita High School can be seen on the mountain in the foreground, and Matsue Castle is visible on the mountain beyond.

Beyond Matsue Castle are the City Hall and Shimane Prefectural Office. Matsue Onsen (hot springs) is located in this area.

The body of water beyond is Lake Shinji (a brackish lake).

Yomegashima Island can be seen in Lake Shinji. This island was originally a basaltic lava mound, but in the early 1600s, during the construction of Matsue Castle, it was excavated for stone materials, resulting in its flat topography.

The area around Lake Shinji is called the Shinji Lowland, which is believed to have formed as a result of the Japanese archipelago separating from the Chinese continent.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Aphyric Dacite of Mt. Dakesan Mt. Dakesan, located in the outskirts of Matsue City, Shimane Pref., Japan, was an active volcano until about 0.8Ma ago. Dacite outcrops can be observed in various parts. Often contain xenoliths and xenocrysts derived from the surrounding Neogene strata. #microscope

Mount Dakesan is a symbolic mountain of Matsue City, also known as Mount Nebotoke or Mount Mädchen.

Outcrop of the core part of Mount Dakesan.

Polarizing microscope image of aphyric dacite (crossed nicols).
Flow structure of plagioclase can be observed.

Polarizing microscope image of aphyric dacite (crossed nicols).
The pyroxene that appears to be a phenocryst is a xenocryst.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

I made some wallpaper for my mobile phone. The material are rock surface. #geology #Wallpaper This is a cross-section of manganese ore, primarily composed of rhodonite.

Manganese ore, primarily composed of rhodonite.
(Yazu-gun, Tottori prefecture,Japan)

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Autumn color. The beautiful season of maple leaves. #Japan #photography

The maple leaves of Akiba Shrine in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Diatomaceous Earth in Hiruzen Highland, Okayama Prefecture, Japan #Japan #DE #fossils Quaternary Diatomaceous Earth. Hiruzen Highland was a lake tens of thousands of years ago, and this diatomaceous earth was formed there.

Upon closer inspection, it is clear that it is composed of tiny diatoms.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Fossils from the Koura Formation of the Early Miocene Epoch, Neogene Period (Kashima Town, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan) #fossils #Japan #geology

These fossils belong to mollusks that inhabited freshwater environments before the Japanese archipelago separated from the Chinese mainland. Notable species include Bellamya kosasana Ueji (a freshwater snail) and Cuneopsis sp. (a freshwater mussel).

Geological Context
The Koura Formation is a geological layer formed during the Early Miocene epoch of the Neogene Period, approximately 20 million years ago. This era predates the formation of the Sea of Japan along the continental coast.

Fossil Diversity
The Koura Formation has yielded a rich array of fossils:

Freshwater mollusks: Including the aforementioned species
Plant fossils: Representing the flora of the time
Occasional large mammal fossils: Indicating a diverse ecosystem

Paleoenvironment
The fossils suggest an environment dominated by rivers and lakes. This freshwater setting existed before the marine transgression that would later form the Sea of Japan.

Connections to Mainland China
The fauna found in the Koura Formation show strong connections to present-day mainland China. Some fossil species discovered are now extinct in Japan but still have living relatives in China, such as:

Chinese pond mussel: A freshwater bivalve
Metasequoia: A coniferous tree species

These findings provide valuable insights into the paleogeography and biological connections between Japan and mainland China during the Early Miocene.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Observing outcrops is extremely important. Identifying the type of geology you're looking at, considering what phenomena can be observed there. Then, explaining it to someone else in your own words. The actions you take while facing an outcrop will surely lead to growth. #geology #outcrop

This photo was taken when I observed an outcrop on a nearby beach during a break from slope disaster prevention inspection.
While observing together, we discussed the geological phenomena right in front of us.

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Atsuhiro Shingu @gkiseki.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Geology of Katsurajima Island (Dike) #Japan #geology #photography #outcrop Katsurajima Island in Shimane Town, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, is known for its geology formed by andesitic to rhyolitic lava that erupted underwater about 15 million years ago (Middle Miocene epoch).

This location is renowned for the various lava formations that can be observed. This photograph captures a dike cutting through the lava. Upon close inspection of this dike, one can observe that while the deeper parts maintain a dike-like structure, the shallower sections show magma transforming into an auto-brecciated state upon contact with seawater. Such transitions can be observed here.

The central pointed hill-like structure is the dike, while the areas on both ends of the photo are lava domes penetrated by the dike. The boundary between the two is marked by a chilled margin several centimeters thick, and they can be easily distinguished by the differences in their well-developed joint systems.

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